Cebu activist among 7 killed in clash with gov’t troops in Negros | Pinakabagong Balita sa Pilipinas

Cebu activist among 7 killed in clash with gov’t troops in Negros — INQUIRER FILES INQUIRER FILES BACOLOD CITY — One of the seven alleged communist rebels who were killed in an encounter with government troopers in Kab...

INQUIRER FILES

INQUIRER FILES

BACOLOD CITY — One of the seven alleged communist rebels who were killed in an encounter with government troopers in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Sunday was an activist and alumna of the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu.

This information was provided in a statement posted on social media on April 28 by ‘Tug-ani.’

Tug-ani is the official student publication of UP Cebu.

It said Jhon Isidor “Dee” Supelanas was a student leader who fought for free education, basic social services, good governance and democratic rights.

The publication also said Supelanas protested against fascism and tyranny.

Supelanas joined the Nagkahiusang Kusog sa Estudyante in 2018 and served as the College of Communication, Art and Design representative to the UP Cebu student council from 2019 to 2021.

“Witnessing the violence of state fascism under (former President Rodrigo) Duterte, especially with the proclamation of the Memorandum Order 32 and the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine National Police’s Synchronized Enhanced Military Police Operations which led to the Oplan Sauron massacre of 14 Negros farmers last March 30, 2019, Dee later joined the fact-finding mission investigating these killings,” Tug-ani said.

In 2020, Supelanas served as coordinator of the National Union of Students of the Philippines Cebu, Kasama sa UP Secretary General for Membership, and executive committee member in reviving Anakbayan UP Cebu.

A year after, she became the spokesperson of Kabataan Partylist Cebu, Tug-ani said.

Recognized for her leadership, Supelanas was nominated as UP Cebu’s 38th Student Regent Nominee — the highest student representation in the UP System.

“She later served as chairperson of the UP Cebu University Student Council, leading the return to face-to-face classes, lobbying for student concerns, organizing activities, and spearheading relief operations during the pandemic,” Tug-ani noted.

The Army reported that Supelanas, a 25-year-old native of Balamban town, west Cebu, served as a political instructor of the New People’s Army (NPA) South West Front.

She and six others were killed in a firefight with government soldiers in Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City on Sunday.

The other fatalities were Jhonrey Mejares, political instructor/political guide; Glendel Tinio Mejares, medical officer; Charity Amacan, squad leader/former secretary of the NPA’s South East Front; Reniel Locsin Cellon, squad leader and former commanding officer; Mary Jane Maguilat, vice squad leader; and a certain Pitong – medical officer – all of the South West Front.

Recovered from them were six M-16 rifles, one of which was equipped with an M-203 grenade launcher, one KG9 submachine gun, and other war materials.

The report comes from Col. Erwin Rommel Lamzon, Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division spokesman.

The Army, he said, is looking into the possibility that the slain rebels were engaged in alleged election related extortion activities.

These actions involved requiring candidates to obtain from the rebels permits to campaign and safe conduct passes.

Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, director of the Commission on Elections – Negros Island Region, said the encounter in Kabankalan City will not affect the May 12 polls in Negros.

“The Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army have assured that, as of now, there is no evidence suggesting the NPA intends to disrupt the elections,” he said in an interview.

There are also no voting centers in the area where the encounter occurred.

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson reiterated his call to the remaining rebels to lay down their arms and join the government.

The provincial government has taken part in the rehabilitation of former rebels who have surrendered by giving them assistance for their livelihood.

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The police have intensified checkpoints in Kabankalan City to maintain peace and order as the elections near, said Capt. Sammy Gasataya, Kabankalan deputy police chief.

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